Mini Milestone@ Gymboree

Last Saturday, I decided to let Elyssa try out the next level of her Gymboree classes. (meant for >3 years old. Afterall, she turns 3 in less than 3 weeks). Main difference for these classes is that parents are not supposed to accompany the kids. Huge difference indeed! Also, it's arranged in such a way that there are 3 back to back classes - Play class, then Music class, then Art class. Almost 3 hours in total.

The night before, hubby and I started giving her pep talks - about how she's going to a "big girl" class now, how it's similar to cousin Justin koko's school, that mummy and daddy won't be there etc etc.

On Saturday morning, she was a little apprehensive when we reached the centre. I told the instructors I will only try out Play and Music, since 3 classes back to back might be a little too much at one time.

She said "bye bye" to me then walked calmly into her class...................BUT I was struggling hard to blink back my tears! Tears were rolling down my face when I went to the washroom. *Sigh*, it was one of those "my baby girl is growing up so fast" moments. (Yup, I'm definitely emotional when it comes to my princess. Reminded me of my first day back at work after maternity leave - 3 month old Elyssa was calm when I handed her to her "Ah Kong", but I started bawling my eyes out. Gosh! I'm gonna be an absolutely nervous wreck when she starts real school, or has her first concert etc !!!)

Needless to say, I was as nervous as can be for the next hour or so. I knew she was familiar with her Gymboree class, but she had never been unaccompanied before. (plus I've seen how she searches for me when she can't see me in her previous classes).
I kept glancing at my watch and checking my phone to see if there were calls from the instructors. What if she won't stop crying???

Halfway through the second class, I couldn't stand it anymore and decided to have a peek. The instructor told me: "Don't worry... She's perfectly alright! She didn't cry at all and she's following the class well". PHEW! Mummy is definitely a worry wart!!
Since she was alright, I decided to let her go for the 3rd class after all.

At the end of the 3 hours, she happily ran towards me with a big grin on her face, proudly showing off her paper bus made during Art class.

Mummy - look at my bus!!

So, my little princess went through 3 hours of class on her own for the very first time. No fuss, no tears (err... on her part. I failed!).

I am mighty proud of her!

Gymboree Classes

One of the advantages of not working is that I can now bring Elyssa for her Gymboree classes on weekdays. Recently, I have not been too pleased with weekend classes at the Tropicana outlet cos it's normally very crowded. I don't like it when there are too many kids cos classes feel more rushed, facilitators gets more stressed, less attention given to each kid, more distracted kids etc..

I guess that's the downside when a programme gets more popular. When I first signed Elyssa up, it was pretty quiet and I used to hope there were enough students for the class to start! (I had an experience where the class was cancelled cos there was just one other boy besides Elyssa).

Weekday classes are far more conducive and enjoyable. I managed to take some photos when I brought Elyssa for her 2 classes today (Music and Play) -

1) Music Class

Playing with her sticks
The kids had to do some basic actions according to the song

Dancing with 2 scarves

Solo singing on the giant microphone
She sang "twinkle twinkle little star" and "baa baa black sheep"

Dancing in a circle together with the teacher and her classmates

2) After the 45 minutes Music class, it was time for her Play n Learn class

Story telling time

JUMP!
Little "samseng" in action

Bouncing on the Air Log

Catching Bubbles

Tidying up after the "popcorn making" session

Happy Girl

Overall, I am happy that she enjoys and participates well in her classes. But for every single class, she has some of her "I don't want" moments where she just refuses to follow instructions. Ah well..... I guess that's pretty normal for kids her age!

Gymboree

It has been almost a year since Elyssa started her Gymboree classes (not every weekend, but on and off). I remember during her first trial class in May last year, she stuck to me like a koala bear. These days, I'm glad the Gymboree classes are something she looks forward to and enjoys :)

I've just signed her up for a 1 year package. Besides the "play" classes she has been going to, this package includes music and art classes too. Ha hah.... I'm not sure how much music and art someone her age can do, so let's see how that goes.

Anyway, here are some pics taken during her "play" class this morning :

Picture Time

Bubble Time

Going through Tunnel

Keeping Balls

Going through another Tunnel

Following teacher's action

Hello, Elyssa!

Trial Class - Gymboree

Over the weekend, I sent Elyssa for a trial class at Gymboree. I figured she would enjoy the class since she has been more mobile lately and likes climbing up and down the sofa.

The result? Half the time, she clinged on to me and didn't participate in the activities. When I tried, she cried a little so I let her "stick" to me. (cannot even sit on the mat but must sit on my lap!!) She did look interested in the activities though, which I take as a good sign.

Well, her behaviour was not entirely surprising since she hasn't been with so many kids her own age before. In the class that day, there were 7 kids around the same age. Besides Elyssa, there was also another boy trying out the class for the first time. When I chatted with his mum, she said that he has been attending Tumble Tots for a few months. That could explain why the boy was feeling more at home than Elyssa.

Here's a photo taken right after the class. If only she can sit so quietly on her own at home. Ha hahh!!

Overall, I was happy with the class. It was quite interactive, there was sufficient time for the kids to socialise and I found the equipment nicer and newer than the Tumble Tots in Subang Parade.

I ended up signing for the class. Fee info-

Annual Membership Fee : RM 150
Programe Fee : RM 420

The programe fee is for 12 classes to finish in 12 weeks. Since the trial class is free with any sign-up, that works out to RM32 per class. (or RM44 if I factor in the membership fee)

Hopefully, Elyssa will get more involved in the class activities and socialise with the other kids next time!